We may never look at mushrooms the same way again.ĭisclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The Genius Plague freshens up the nature-versus-man archetype with an unusual “critter” and contemporary global politics, resulting in a page-turning read that is also thought-provoking.

In this science-fiction work, though, fibbing may also serve the story better than strict reality, and Walton handles the balance ably, without allowing creative license to lead his NSA in absurd directions. Walton’s text juggles issues like whether or not factual information should even be used when addressing the agency.

Sections focused on the NSA, which is a heavily protected body with a multipurpose mission, rely on particular creativity. The more he learns about a growing network of apparent terrorists in South America and how they communicate, the more he suspects the source of all this activity and change is much closer to home. Neil begins to suspect that his brother’s fungal infection has changed more than just his mental abilities. Charles begins to act as if he’d never had anything wrong with him, remembering names, faces, and events clearly, though before the infection, he couldn’t remember simple details-like the fact that that Neil, his other son, was working for the National Security Agency. His father, Charles, who has Alzheimer’s disease, shows the same symptoms and receives the same treatment. After a brief illness and anti-fungal treatment, he starts to show improved mental acuity. They turn out to stem from a fungal infection, caused by a new strain of fungus commonly found where he was doing his research. He escapes unharmed but arrives home with cold-like symptoms. On his return trip, he witnesses the mass murder of a boatload of ecotourists.

Mycologist Paul Johns spends an extended research visit in the Amazon jungle. Novelist and engineer David Walton infuses his latest novel with adventure, spycraft, humor, and shudders. The Genius Plague freshens up the nature-versus-man archetype-we may never look at mushrooms the same way again.

The Genius Plague by David Walton